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Weekday and Weekend Differences in Eating Habits, Physical Activity and Screen Time Behavior among a Sample of Primary School Children: The “Seven Days for My Health” Project

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Esposito

    (Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Francesco Sanmarchi

    (Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Sofia Marini

    (Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy)

  • Alice Masini

    (Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Susan Scrimaglia

    (Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Emanuele Adorno

    (Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Giorgia Soldà

    (Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Arrichiello

    (Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Filippo Ferretti

    (Department of Public Health, Bologna Health Trust, 40121 Bologna, Italy)

  • Marilisa Rangone

    (Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Francesca Celenza

    (Department of Public Health, Bologna Health Trust, 40121 Bologna, Italy)

  • Emilia Guberti

    (Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Department of Public Health, 40121 Bologna, Italy)

  • Domenico Tiso

    (Hospital Villa Maria, 47921 Rimini, Italy)

  • Stefania Toselli

    (Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Antonello Lorenzini

    (Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Laura Dallolio

    (Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
    Both authors jointly directed this research.)

  • Rossella Sacchetti

    (Department of Education Studies “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
    Both authors jointly directed this research.)

Abstract

Background: Healthy eating and active lifestyle habits are essential for a child’s development, wellbeing, and health. School setting and family environment play a crucial role in shaping these habits and this could be reflected in different behavior patterns during weekdays and weekends. Methods: We investigated primary school children’s lifestyle habits through a cross-sectional analysis of 428 Italian primary school children, with a mean age of 8.99 years (±1.43). Data were collected from May to June 2017 using a weekly diary to assess children’s lifestyles. Results: Children who eat their morning snack and lunch at school three or more times during the weekdays were 5.47 times more likely (95% CI 3.02, 10.2) to consume adequate snacks and 7.79 times more likely (95% CI 4.43, 14.5) to have adequate meals than those who did not. Conclusion: Consumption of vegetables, lunch, and snacks are significantly more adequate during the weekdays as compared to the weekends. Physical activity levels did not differ between weekdays and weekends. Moreover, children spent more time engaged in physical activities than in front of a screen during both the weekdays and the weekends. The present results are good indicators of the importance of the school canteen in defining correct eating habits. Family-based and school-based interventions could represent valuable integrative strategies for promoting a healthy lifestyle in children.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Esposito & Francesco Sanmarchi & Sofia Marini & Alice Masini & Susan Scrimaglia & Emanuele Adorno & Giorgia Soldà & Fabrizio Arrichiello & Filippo Ferretti & Marilisa Rangone & Francesca Cel, 2022. "Weekday and Weekend Differences in Eating Habits, Physical Activity and Screen Time Behavior among a Sample of Primary School Children: The “Seven Days for My Health” Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:4215-:d:785383
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Francesco Sanmarchi & Francesco Esposito & Sofia Marini & Alice Masini & Susan Scrimaglia & Angelo Capodici & Fabrizio Arrichiello & Filippo Ferretti & Marilisa Rangone & Francesca Celenza & Emilia Gu, 2022. "Children’s and Families’ Determinants of Health-Related Behaviors in an Italian Primary School Sample: The “Seven Days for My Health” Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-11, January.
    2. Dagmar Sigmundová & Erik Sigmund, 2021. "Weekday-Weekend Sedentary Behavior and Recreational Screen Time Patterns in Families with Preschoolers, Schoolchildren, and Adolescents: Cross-Sectional Three Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Sanmarchi & Alice Masini & Carolina Poli & Anna Kawalec & Francesco Esposito & Susan Scrimaglia & Lawrence M. Scheier & Laura Dallolio & Rossella Sacchetti, 2023. "Cross-Sectional Analysis of Family Factors Associated with Lifestyle Habits in a Sample of Italian Primary School Children: The I-MOVE Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, February.

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